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Diwali Activities for a Classroom Festival of Lights
Christy Walters
September 20, 2025
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a primarily Hindu celebration that symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, the celebration starts on October 20.
We have Diwali activities to help you bring lessons about the Festival of Lights and South Asian culture into your ELA, social studies, and science classes this fall.
[Practice literacy skills with Diwali ELA activities](id-ela)
Bring diverse perspectives to your ELA lessons while practicing skills like paired text analysis and finding the author’s purpose with these engaging Diwali activities:
Read traditional Diwali stories
We can learn a lot about a culture by reading its literature. Help students better understand why Hindus and other South Asians celebrate this holiday with the following activity:
First, have students read the Hindu myth of Prince Rama and his wife Sita, and their journey to reclaim the city of Ayodhya.
Next, have students read a news article about the journey of bicultural children in the United States.
Although Diwali is celebrated worldwide, your students may not observe this holiday at home. Show them the excitement and preparation that goes into this holiday with the following paired text activity:
First, have students read the fictional story “Lilu’s Bright Diwali” by Anita Nahta Amin.
Next, have them read an informational article that looks at the history, traditions, and spiritual significance of Diwali.
Finally, ask students to use a Venn diagram to compare the two texts using the guiding question, “What is the main idea of each text and how are they connected?”
Practice finding the author’s purpose with Diwali texts
How do authors choose what details to include in their stories to make them relevant and interesting for readers? Students can ponder this question while learning about Diwali at the same time!
First, watch a video about the history and significance of Diwali.
Next, share a video about the customs and traditions that people observe when celebrating Diwali.
Finally, ask students to complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the details shared in each video. Encourage students to consider why the scriptwriters and video creators chose to include the details they did.
[Teach students about Diwali and other South Asian customs in social studies](id-ss)
Help students explore the history, customs, and significance of Diwali with these social studies activities:
How do people celebrate Diwali?
During this five-day festival, people decorate their homes with oil lamps, set off fireworks, exchange gifts, and eat delicious food. Help students explore all the ways people celebrate with this lesson:
First, pose the question “What do you think when you hear the words 'Festival of Lights’?” and have students complete a Write-Pair-Share worksheet. Digitize the activity using Luna, your AI-powered assistant!
Next, ask students to read articles and watch interactive videos that explore different customs and celebrations for Diwali around the world.
Finally, in small groups, ask students to create a colorful infographic that shares the meaning and importance of a Diwali decoration or tradition. Hang the infographics around the classroom or in the hallway and hold a gallery walk.
Build background knowledge on Hinduism
While people of different faiths may celebrate Diwali, it started primarily as a Hindu holiday. Build your students’ background knowledge of the Hindu faith with resources like:
An explainer article on what polytheism, or the belief in many gods, is.
An article that explores what the Vedas are and when they were written.
Articles that examine some of the important gods and their roles in the Hindu faith, like Vishnu, Ganesha, and Brahma.
Teach about the cultural traditions of South Asia
Culture in South Asian countries is influenced heavily by the prominent religions of the region. Students can learn more about their similarities and differences with resources like:
An interactive video that looks at what Hinduism is.
An article that explores the origins and spread of Sikhism in South Asian countries.
A profile of the religious leader Buddha.
Learn more about the geography and culture of India
People across the world celebrate Diwali, but it’s one of the most popular holidays in India. Put a spotlight on the second-most populous country in the world with resources like:
An overview of Indian culture, politics, and geography.
An interactive video that looks at why India split into two countries.
An article that explores the history of British rule in India.
[Learn the science behind popular Diwali traditions in science](id-sci)
Some Diwali traditions are powered by science! Show students how they work with these activities:
Discover what brings the Festival of Lights to life
Lighting lanterns, oil lamps, and fireworks are all ways that recognize and celebrate the Festival of Lights. Students can learn more about the phenomena that power these light sources with the following lesson:
First, have students read an article about what a chemical change is and how to recognize one.
Next, have students read an article about the chemical reaction of combustion and its role in creating fire.
Finally, use the new AI-powered lesson planner feature included in both articles to select a project idea to help students extend this lesson.
Create classroom-friendly fireworks with milk
To celebrate Diwali, many people set off fireworks, but not all of them have to light up the sky! Try this explosion-free fireworks activity with students:
First, read an article about the decline of cow’s milk consumption in the United States.
Next, discover how reindeer milk is a popular baking ingredient in Mongolia.
Finally, create your own milky fireworks using food coloring and dish soap.
Cover fall holidays in your classroom
Diwali is one of many holidays celebrated during the fall. With Newsela’s suite of subject products, you can access various content and resources—like news articles, primary sources, literature selections, and interactive videos—to help you teach about all of them!
Not a Newsela customer yet? Sign up for Newsela Lite for free and start your 45-day trial. You’ll get access to our premium content and activities for everything you need to teach about every holiday this fall.
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